Bottle dispensing apparatus



Feb. 12, 1952 E. CLJOHNSON BOTTLE DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 JNVENTOR. 57/770 6. Jab/7.50

ll/ {6, ATTOR/VE Patented Feb. 12, 1952 UNITED STATES {PAT ENT OFFICE 2,585,011 BOTTLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Elmer C. Johnson,- Kansas City, Mo., assignor, by m'esne assignments, to The Vendo "Company, Kansas City, Mo.,'a corporation of Missouri Application November s, 1948, Serial No. 58,865

2 Claims. -1

This invention relates to automatic vending machines for articles of merchandise such as bottles and other cylindrical objects, the primary "aim being to provide structure for normally 'mai'n'tainingthe bottles in a plurality of vertical stacks with the bottles of the stacks relatively staggered and having means underlying the stacks and movable alternately from one stack to the other for dispensing the bottles one at a time.

The'mo'st important object of this invention is to provide'a vending machine for bottles having a compartment -adapted to contain a pair of stacks of the bottles arranged in staggered relationship, whereby retention of one of the stacks against gravitational movement will hold the other stack against downward movement from the compartment, there being a horizontallyrecipro'eable member underlying the stacks for releasing the bottle of one stack as such member moves to a position underlying the other stack.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine of the above-mentioned character having'a roller shiftably "mounted beneath the stacks of bottles for movement to release the bottles singly, said roller being formed and positioned to prevent rotation of the bottles'on their longitudinal axes as th same are dispensed.

Afurther object of the present invention is to provide a bottle vending machine as above set forth having a roller underlying the stacks of bottles mounted forrotation on a horizontal axis andreciprocablehorizontally, all to the 'end that, as the roller moves from one stack to the other, the same rotates freely upon the lowermost bottles of the stacks.

'Otherobjects of the present invention include the way in which the 'reciprocable rollers release bottles singly while preventing a dropping action on the part of any bottle within the machine; the way in which 'the dispensed bottle is vended by' ineans of a gradual release thereof, whereby the contents of the bottles are not shaken or 'otherwi'sedisturbed; the way in which means is provided to prevent vending of more than one the bottles M of the other stack thereof.

2 gres'ses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of a machine for vending refrigerated, bottled goods or the like from staggered stacks, made in accordance with the present invention, parts of the machine cabinet being entirely removed to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1, looking in the direc-'- tion of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal, cross sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Fig, 1; and,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, showing one side of the machine opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1, with cabinet parts being entirely removed to reveal details of construction.

In the drawings, there is illustrated a pair of elongated, vertical compartments broadly designated by the numerals ID and i2, respectively. These two compartments ID and I2 are of identical character and may be of any suitable height,

depending upon the number of bottles I4 that is compartment ii! and I2 is greater than the height of bottles 14, these compartments are adapted to contain a plurality of bottles I 4 with their longitudinal axes horizontal and in stacked relationship.

Compartments liland [2 are formed to accommodate two of such stacks with the bottles M of one stack being in staggered relationship with In other words, since the width of the compartments l8 and I2 is as above specified, the stacks are arranged with the bottles of one stack overlapping the bottles of the other stack and in semiwed'ge'd relationship, all as clearly illustrated in 'Fig. 1 of the drawing.

It is obvious from the foregoing that, with the two stacks of each compartment l0 and I2 so arranged, retentionof one stack against downward movement within the respective compartmentwin prevent downward'gravitational move- -ment of the other stack.

The means for dispensing the bottles I4 singly from the compartments II] and I2 include a roller broadly designated by the numeral I6 and illustrated most clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. There is a roller I6 at the lowermost open end of each compartment I and I2, the two rollers being of identical character and, consequently, only one need be described.

Compartments I0 and I2 are formed by four spaced, vertical parallel side walls I3, I5, I1, and I9, all of U-shaped cross-section, and a pair of end walls I8 and 20. Wall I8 is relatively short, permitting loading of bottles I4 in compartments II] and I2.

The opposed walls I8 and 20, disposed adjacent the tops and bottoms respectively of the bottles I4, are each provided with a pair of elongated, horizontal slots 22, there being a pair of opposed slots 22 adjacent each compartment I0 and I2 respectively. The roller I6 includes a cylindrical member 24, preferably of tubular character, that is disposed between the slots 22 thereof. The longitudinal axis of the cylinder 24 is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the bottles I4 when the latter are in stacked relationship Within the corresponding compartments ID or I2.

A shaft 26 passing through cylinder 24, in a co-axial relationship therewith and secured to cylinder 24, extends outwardly beyond each end of the cylinder 24 through the respective slots 22 within walls I8 and 20. A roller 28 is threaded upon each outermost end respectively of the shaft 26 for free rotation thereon, said rollers each being provided with a portion 39 of reduced diameter extending into the slot 22 for free rotation therein. A key 32 on each of the shaft 26 maintains the latter, together with the cylinder 24, in position between the walls I8 and 20.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the vertical walls I8 and 20 are offset inwardly midway between the ends thereof and between the compartments ID and I2. These opposed, offset portions of the walls I8 and 20 have three shafts 34, 36 and 38 spanning the distance therebetween and passing therethrough for free rotation on substantially horizontal axes. The shafts 34, 36 and 38 are provided with intermeshing gears 40, 42 and 44, respectively, secured thereto adjacent the outermost face of the wall I8.

The outermost ends of the shafts 34 and 38 have secured thereto for rotation therewith a relatively short crank 46, the four cranks 46 all being of identical character. The pair of cranks 46 on the shaft 34 each has a lever 48 pivotally connected to the outermost, free end thereof, said pair of levers 48 extending along the outermost faces of walls I8 and 26, respectively, for pivotal connection with proximal ends of the shaft 26 for the roller I6 that underlies the stacks of bottles I4 in compartment I0. Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates clearly the way in which an opening is provided in those ends of the levers 48 opposite to cranks 46 for rotatably receiving the shaft 26.

In the same manner, the horizontally-disposed, rotatable shaft 38 has the cranks 46 thereof provided with levers 52 pivotally interconnecting the outermost free ends of such cranks 46 with the shaft 26 of the roller I6 that underlies the stacks of bottles I4 disposed within the compartment I2.

It is thus far apparent that rotation of the shaft 34 will impart reciprocable movement to the roller I6 below the bottles in compartment I0 through the corresponding cranks 4'6 and levers 48. As this roller I6 reciprocates, it will move from a position below one of the stacks of bottles I4, as indicated in Fig. l, to a position at the opposite end of its slots 22 underlying the other stack of bottles I4 in compartment I0. Obviously, the same action takes place when the shaft 38 is rotated.

Any suitable prime mover (not shown) may be used and connected operably with .the central shaft 36 to cause rotation thereof and consequent rotation of shafts 34 and 38 through the train of gears 40, 42 and 44.

Obviously, it is desired that only one bottle I4 be dispensed at a time; and, therefore, the machine operation is synchronized through proper relative disposition of the gears 40 and 44 with the gear 42 to accomplish this result.

This operation is illustrated, also, in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, where one of the rollers I6 is at the outermost end of its path of travel and the other roller I6 is intermediate the ends of its path of travel.

In order to be entirely automatic, the machine, of course, will be provided with coin control means for placing an electrical circuit into operation upon insertion of the coin into the machine. This circuit will be provided with a switch for controlling the operation of the prime mover for the drive shaft 36, and such switch, in turn, will be controlled through the medium of a cam member 54 on the shaft 36. Cam member 54, accordingly, operates to control the extent of rotation of shaft 35 to cause vending of a single bottle each time a coin or other medium is placed in the machine.

Inasmuch as the rollers I6 are freely rotatable on their axes, movement of the same through their rectilinear paths of travel will cause the rollers I6 to roll upon the lowermost bottle in their respective chambers as they move to a position for releasing such lower bottle; However, prior to the time that such bottle is released, the roller will move to a position engaging the lowermost bottle of the next stack and continue its rolling movement upon such last-mentioned bottle.

The vented bottle, in each case, will be gradually eased from its position within the compartment and not be fully released until such time as the roller I6 has completed its cycle of movement. In order to assure further that no rotation of the bottles will take place, the rollers I6 are provided with a pair of sleeves 56 formed from rubber or other resilient material for receiving the bottles I4.

The released bottledoes not drop from the roller I6 but merely moves to a position upon a pair of resilient, arcuate tracks 58, there being a pair of such tracks 58 for each compartment I 0 and I2, respectviely. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, these arcuate tracks 58 are inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the center of the machine and terminate substantially directly below the corresponding shaft 34 or 38.

The vended bottles roll from the tracks 58 to a position resting upon an inclined rack '50 that terminates exteriorally of the cabinet into an outwardly-extending shelf 62, where such bottle is readily accessible to the customer.

The staggered arrangement of the stacks of bottles I4 in compartments I 0 and I2 will, as above set forth, normally permit vending of but one bottle at a time. However, to avoid a tendency of the last two bottles of either compart- 76 ment ID or I2 to be vended simultaneously, there is .provided a plurality of guides 64 extending inwardly from end wall I8 of both compartments l0 and I2 between the stacks of bottles l4 therein.

The guides B l are all substantially U-shaped in cross section and have their bights extending vertically just above the roller l6. As indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the two outermost guide members M are bent laterally toward each' other as the bights thereof are approached, whereby to define a relatively narrow space for the bottle neck as they slide downwardly within their respective compartments I0 or l2.

By providing the two compartments I0 and I2 in spaced-apart relationship, there is presented a space 66 therebetween that may be conveniently partitioned as at 68 above the shaft 34, 36 and 38 for receiving a plurality of bottles for storage purposes. Since the entire machine is obviously refrigerated through mechanism not herein shown, the bottles it within the space 66 can thereby be pre-cooled and simply moved to the compartments Ill and 12 as replenishing of the supply thereof becomes necessary.

It is apparent that, through use of the vending mechanism above described, bottles can be dispensed one at a time without disturbing the contents thereof through objectionable shaking and rough handling. The bottles merely slide downwardly in their stacks with little dropping action or undue jolting thereof during the operation of the machine.

Rotative action on the part of the bottles themselves is even eliminated until such time as the same are dispensed from the compartments and ready to roll to a position at the front of the cabinet.

An extremely large number of bottles can be accommodated by a machine of this character without utilizing an objectionably large space; and, from the standpoint of the purchaser, no action on his part becomes necessary other than the mere insertion of a coin.

It is apparent that many changes and modifications may be made to the single embodiment of the present invention and, manifstly, those that fairly come within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated hereby.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine having supporting and guiding means for receiving two columns of articles in staggered relationship, a reciprocable roller disposed below the columns of articles and adapted to alternately engage the columns to restrain both columns from downward movement; a slotted support at each end respectively of the roller for guiding the same along a rectilinear path of travel; an elongated, rotatable element carried by said supports; a crank mounted on each end respectively of said element for rotation therewith; and an elongated link at each end respectively of said roller, each link having one end thereof pivotally joined to the roller and the opposite end thereof pivotally joined to a corresponding crank remote from the element whereby upon rotation of the latter the roller is reciprocated.

2. In a vending machine having supporting and guiding means for receiving two columns of articles in staggered relationship, a reciprocable roller disposed below the columns of articles and adapted to alternately engage the columns to restrain both columns from downward movement; a shaft for the roller; a slotted support at each end respectively of the roller for guiding the same along a rectilinear path of travel; a slide member in the slot of each support respectively for receiving said shaft; an elongated, rotatable element carried by said supports; a crank mounted on each end respectively of said element for rotatic i therewith; and an elongated link at each end respectively of said roller, each link having one end thereof pivotally joined to the shaft and the opposite end thereof pivotally joined to a corresponding crank remote from the element whereby upon rotation of the latter the roller and the shaft are reciprocated.

ELMER C. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,369,882 Brock Feb. 20, 1945 2,438,503 Holt Mar. 30, 1948 

